ᐅ BEV – Battery Electric Vehicle Experiences and Recommendations
Created on: 23 Jan 2025 15:14
T
Tolentino
Dear forum members,
I know this is a homebuilding forum, but relevant car forums tend to be either very brand-loyal or strongly critical of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Since I assume there is a significant overlap between homeowners and BEV owners, I’m posting my question here. I chose this subforum because it seemed somewhat related—discussing household technology felt off topic.
I’ll soon be returning my ZOE and am currently exploring options for a replacement. It should again be a small to compact car, with 80-90% urban driving and average daily distances of about 25 km (15.5 miles). Occasionally, I drive 40-50 km (25-31 miles) in the city (about once a month) and very rarely 180 km (112 miles) on highways and country roads.
Absolute exclusions:
Tesla, for ethical reasons
Vehicles with a new price over 50,000 EUR (approx. $53,000), because the financing rate would be too high
Less preferred:
VW Group cars
Obvious SUVs
Another ZOE
Models I am interested in:
Renault 5 (possibly too new and expensive)
Hyundai Kona Electric (this is my upper limit for SUV styling)
MG4
Opel Corsa-e (though it didn’t perform well in ADAC tests)
Mainly looking for personal experience reports.
So, please share your thoughts—thanks in advance!
I know this is a homebuilding forum, but relevant car forums tend to be either very brand-loyal or strongly critical of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Since I assume there is a significant overlap between homeowners and BEV owners, I’m posting my question here. I chose this subforum because it seemed somewhat related—discussing household technology felt off topic.
I’ll soon be returning my ZOE and am currently exploring options for a replacement. It should again be a small to compact car, with 80-90% urban driving and average daily distances of about 25 km (15.5 miles). Occasionally, I drive 40-50 km (25-31 miles) in the city (about once a month) and very rarely 180 km (112 miles) on highways and country roads.
Absolute exclusions:
Tesla, for ethical reasons
Vehicles with a new price over 50,000 EUR (approx. $53,000), because the financing rate would be too high
Less preferred:
VW Group cars
Obvious SUVs
Another ZOE
Models I am interested in:
Renault 5 (possibly too new and expensive)
Hyundai Kona Electric (this is my upper limit for SUV styling)
MG4
Opel Corsa-e (though it didn’t perform well in ADAC tests)
Mainly looking for personal experience reports.
So, please share your thoughts—thanks in advance!
Our driving pattern for the electric car is almost exactly the same as yours. As a replacement for a Fiat 500e, I have been driving the R5 E-Tech since December.
And I’m quite impressed! The feel, quality perception, and driving behavior – all top-notch! Really at a very high level. And I also think it looks great (I ordered it in pop yellow). Of course, it’s not a budget car, at least not in the currently available version. But in return, you get a solidly built car that looks fantastic (in my opinion).
If you have any questions about the car, just let me know!
P.S.: @wiltshire The i3s would still be my first choice if it were still available to order new… Such a great car – unfortunately without a proper successor…
And I’m quite impressed! The feel, quality perception, and driving behavior – all top-notch! Really at a very high level. And I also think it looks great (I ordered it in pop yellow). Of course, it’s not a budget car, at least not in the currently available version. But in return, you get a solidly built car that looks fantastic (in my opinion).
If you have any questions about the car, just let me know!
P.S.: @wiltshire The i3s would still be my first choice if it were still available to order new… Such a great car – unfortunately without a proper successor…
W
wiltshire23 Jan 2025 21:44filosof schrieb:
if it were still available to order new... I buy private passenger cars and do not lease or finance them. For me, it's fine if the first 60% depreciation is already accounted for.
The R5 etech is really well done. As a car enthusiast, I have of course already checked it out. Congratulations!
filosof schrieb:
Our driving profile for the electric car is pretty much the same as yours. As a replacement for a Fiat 500e, I’ve had the R5 E-Tech since December.
And I’m quite impressed! The feel, quality, and driving experience – all excellent! Really on a very high level. And I also like the look (I ordered it in pop yellow). Sure – it’s not a budget option, at least not in the currently available version. But in return, you get a solidly built car that looks great (in my opinion).
If you have any questions about the car, just let me know! As I said, I definitely have it on my radar.
Which version do you have?
Right now, what puts me off is that I can only get it reasonably priced with a max of 5,000 km/a (3,100 miles/year) and a 60-month term in the Urban Range Edition. And then I think I might as well go for the ID.3 with the 77 kWh battery version and V2H functionality for 20–30 EUR more.
Or I could get an MG4 Luxury for 25 EUR less with 10,000 km/a (6,200 miles/year) and just a 24-month contract, then see how it goes...
Ah, decision paradox at its finest.
wiltshire schrieb:
I buy private passenger cars outright and do not lease or finance. For me, it’s fine if the first 60% of the depreciation is already gone.
The R5 E-Tech is really well done. As a car enthusiast, I’ve already checked it out of course. Congratulations! In my case, it’s a company car with the 0.25% rule. So a used car makes little sense.
Tolentino schrieb:
As I said, I definitely have my eye on that one.
Which version do you have?
At the moment, what puts me off is that I can only get it reasonably affordable with a maximum of 5,000 km/year (3,100 miles/year) and a 60-month term in the Urban Range Edition. And then I think I’d rather take the ID.3 in the 77 kWh version with V2H functionality for 20-30 EUR more.
Or for 25 EUR less, an MG4 Luxury with 10,000 km/year (6,200 miles/year) and only a 24-month term, then see how it goes...
Ah, decision paradox at its finest. At first, only the top version was available to order. The lease runs over 48 months with 15,000 km/year (9,300 miles/year) >400 EUR/month.
Unfortunately expensive, but I was set on the car because it fits the use case so perfectly and brings me a lot of joy!
The ID.3 is just so boring, unfortunately. Otherwise, the Ioniq 5 would be a good choice. Cool design, 800 V, and well developed. A bit vague in handling, but otherwise really good! I don’t know any dissatisfied owners.
I’ve actually heard mostly negative things about MG from friends. Honestly, I’m also not a fan of Chinese cars.
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nordanney23 Jan 2025 22:52wiltshire schrieb:
I buy private passenger carsBut please, do not buy an electric car!